Of course this interest in tonight’s game has been heightened by the fact it is Kevin Sheedy’s 500th as Essendon coach. But once the first quarter action commences that will be the last thing on everybody’s mind. The winner goes to the top of the table and bookies will wind them in to premiership favorites. Never before has a match in Brisbane been sold out by the Tuesday prior to the game.
The Brisbane Courier Mail has featured tonight’s match on the back page of its sports’ section four days this week – something that would have been unthinkable even five years ago. Today’s edition features a full broad-sheet page paying tribute to Sheedy and previewing the match. Today’s Australian also features Sheedy and tonight’s game.
Essendon is making a significant impact in the Brisbane market. More than 400 people attended a lunch at the Gabba yesterday to pay tribute to Sheedy. The lunch was organised by Essendon in conjunction with sister-club Redland and the Queensland Football Club. And tomorrow morning at Victoria Point Sporting Club more than 700 young Essendon fans will attend a football clinic. Sheedy, Matthew Lloyd and many other Essendon stars will put the youngsters through their paces.
It all adds to the tension as the game draws closer. You can keep in touch with the scores as they happen through the BomberLand Live Scoring.
